Author’s delight as book is chosen for reading project

David Sedgwick

A book by a North Tyneside author has been chosen for a reading initiative.

‘Herring Girl’ by Debbie Taylor has been selected as the 2015 North Tyneside Summer Read, a project run by North Tyneside Council in partnership with New Writing North.

Until September, residents and visitors can pick up a copy of Herring Girl for just £4.50 from North Shields, White Swan, Wallsend and Whitley Bay Customer First Centres, and at the Old Low Light.

The Summer Read campaign culminates in an author event on October 8, at 7pm at The Old Low Light, Clifford’s Fort, North Shields Fish Quay. Debbie Taylor will be talking about and reading from her book, and will be available to sign copies. Tickets are £3.

Set in North Shields, Herring Girl moves effortlessly between 1898 and 2007 as twelve-year-old Ben finds himself the unlikely conduit for Annie, a herring girl who lived – and died – a century earlier. As Ben tries to unravel the puzzle of Annie’s death, he is drawn irresistibly into her long-vanished world.

Coun Eddie Darke, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “We’re delighted to be once again working with New Writing North to promote local writing; and to give the people of North Tyneside the chance to discover new authors.

“Herring Girl is a great choice for a North Tyneside Summer Read particularly as it is set in North Tyneside and recognisable landmarks of North Shields feature in the book.”

Debbie said: ”I’m so proud that Herring Girl has been chosen as the North Tyneside Summer Read.

“The book is set in on the north bank of the Tyne, and I researched much of it in the library in North Shields – so it’s brilliant that people in this area here will be reading it this summer.”